Miriam Witmer

We are honored to introduce Dr. Miriam Marguerita Gomez Witmer, an inspiring Associate Professor in the Educational Foundations department at Millersville University. With a passion for education and a commitment to social equity, Dr. Witmer teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in the social foundations of education and educational psychology. She is a National Distinguished Educator. 

As the Coordinator of the Future Educator Pathway, she plays a pivotal role in recruiting students of color to the teaching profession, embodying her dedication to diversity and inclusion. Her tireless efforts have earned her the prestigious title of the 2025 Keeper of the Flame from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, recognizing her commitment to creating supportive university environments that uplift all members of the community. 

Dr. Witmer's accolades include being named a “Champion for Students” and “Advisor of the Year” at Millersville University. She has also received the “Solidarity Award” from the Black Student Union and the “Outstanding Mentor of the Year” for her impactful work with the Color of Teaching Mentoring Program. In 2022, she was inducted into the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal’s “Circle of Excellence.” 

Most importantly, Dr. Witmer is the proud mother of Marissa Witmer, the 2018 Miss Lancaster County, who is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Witmer's commitment to education and mentorship not only enriches the lives of her students but also sets a powerful example for future leaders in our community. 

Joshua William Green

Joshua William Green is a director, actor, singer, dancer and choreographer based in Lancaster, PA. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Joshua has had a very busy career in entertainment. He grew up as a principal dancer in the Archangel Dance Theatre Company and toured the world in The Youngstown Connection as a teenager. He studied musical theatre and dance at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City and Youngstown State University. Joshua has had a strong career in musical theater since early college. He is now a growing director and choreographer. 

Notable experiences include two Broadway national Tours (RAGTIME, FINDING NEVERLAND). ROCKTOPIA! on Broadway. Background singer for Sam Smith in the 2018 Grammy Awards and a contestant on season 16 of America’s Got Talent. “I am very honored to witness the greatness of each and every one of these contestants this year.”

Tracey Eng

Tracey Eng, MBA, CPCU, just retired from JPMorganChase after 17 years where she held multiple positions in Marketing.  Her last role was with Chase Auto where she was a marketing creative regulatory reviewer.  Throughout her more than 40-year career in Financial Services she worked for numerous organizations: Fidelity Bank, Aetna Life and Casualty, The Philadelphia Contributionship, Providian Insurance Company, AIG and JPMorganChase. 

As a dedicated volunteer for the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization and the Miss America Organization since 2015, Tracey has held many roles.  From January of 2018 through July of 2022, she served as the Co-Executive Director of the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization.  Currently she is the Scholarship Director and interim Treasurer.  She received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2015 from the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization and worked with other Executive Directors to complete a special project for Miss America.  Tracey’s grandmother Florence Koons competed at Miss America as the first Miss Pennsylvania in 1927.  

Kathy Becker

Kathy Becker is grateful for this opportunity to be a judge for the Miss Lancaster County Scholarship Competition! She is currently the Education and Events Manager at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University, and has taught at Popovsky Performing Arts, Yocum Institute for Arts Education, and the Fulton Theatre. As an actor, Kathy has performed at the Fulton, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Strasburg Railroad, Gretna Theatre, Reading Theatre Project, and EPAC. Favorite stage credits include The Jane Austen Playlist, Our Town, Ragtime, The Music Man, Talley’s Folly, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, and Savannah Sipping Society. She has enjoyed being part of films shot in Lancaster: Brave the Dark and The Veil. She has also recorded voiceover projects for Country Meadows, TriStarr, and IU13. Kathy appreciates the thriving artistic community in Lancaster County, and especially enjoys sharing her love of the arts with young people.

Sam Little

Sam has been a theatre professional, director and actor for over 20 years. He is a current member of the Actor’s Equity Association and has performed, directed or done fight choreography for hundreds of theatrical productions. Sam spent most of his performance career in Orlando, Fl. where he first attended the University of Central Florida as BFA performance major. He later graduated from Shepherd University in West Virginia. In Orlando, Sam was seen on stage regularly at venues such as Universal Studios, Pirates Dinner Adventure, the Orlando Repertory Theatre and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Locally, Sam served for 10 years as the Artistic Director for MEG Theatre out of Hagerstown, Maryland, a non-profit theatre he cofounded with his wife and favorite collaborator, Alyssa. During that period, he also served as Lead Performance and Casting Director for The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. As a Director and Fight Choreographer, he has worked for many of the area’s theatre and performance companies including Loyola University, the Maryland Theatre, the Washington County Playhouse, and the Cumberland Theatre. Currently Sam is pursuing his passion in visual arts and getting his business, Rogue Menagerie up and running! 

Elizabeth Rickard

Elizabeth Rickard is a local performer with Servant Stage Co., Theatre Harrisburg and the Sankofa African-American Theatre Co., Popovsky Performing Arts, The Belmont Theatre, Hershey Area Playhouse, and Lebanon Community Theatre.  Her behind-the-scenes credits include Music/Vocal Direction and Dialect Coaching with EPAC, Servant Stage Co., and Lebanon Community Theatre.

She is on the board with Creative Pursuits Academy and has worked on the Servant Stage Co. development team.  With professional work in marketing, fund-raising, and church music, Elizabeth sings and performs at her church, and offers a “pop-up studio” for voice lessons and audition prep.

Nola McEachin

With a career rooted in both social work and fashion design, Nola brings a unique blend of empathy, creativity, and leadership to the judging panel. Her work in social services reflects a deep belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive and be heard, while her path in fashion celebrates individuality and self-expression.

As the co-owner and creative director of The BRAND Label, a women’s fashion line, Nola designs collections that empower women through elegance, confidence, and style. Her ability to merge artistry with advocacy allows her to create spaces and experiences where people feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

Nola is honored to serve as a judge for the 2026 Miss Lancaster County Scholarship Competition and looks forward to recognizing the talents and voices of this year’s candidates.